From Peace Corps to Panama: How Service in Honduras Shaped TraderBrock

In my younger years, I set a few clear goals. I would go to college. I would serve as an Army officer. I would attend Thunderbird. And I would join the Peace Corps. By God’s grace, I was able to do each one. This is the story of my Peace Corps Honduras service and how it guided me toward founding TraderBrock.

Why I Joined And What I Hoped To Learn

I joined the Peace Corps at age 45. I had already worked in many countries and spoke Spanish reasonably well. That experience gave me a head start. I wanted to serve in a way that used my skills, helped real people, and deepened my understanding of business in everyday life.

Assignment In Honduras, 1988 To 1990

Training And Cultural Immersion

Peace Corps volunteers spend the first three months learning the language and daily life in-country. Some find out it is not for them. I felt the opposite. The pace of life, the friendships, and the usefulness of the work convinced me I was in the right place.

Role As A Small Business Advisor

I was placed in the Small Business sector. Our Associate Director, Alex Corpeño, had a background in philosophy. He asked me to serve as his deputy and simply keep him informed. That trust allowed me to support volunteers and communities with practical, hands-on help.

Building A Volunteer Consulting Network

Regional Assignments And Client Work

Our sector had about 24 volunteers. We organized ourselves like a consulting firm. Each volunteer covered a region of Honduras and selected two or three business owners to support. These clients ran shops such as tire repair and small coffee roasting, along with other neighborhood enterprises.

Community-Led Training Seminars

We decided the most effective approach was to host training seminars every two to three months. Rather than teach everything ourselves, we invited successful Honduran businesspeople to lead the sessions. They shared language, culture, and real-world experience with our clients, which built trust and kept the advice practical.

Topics And Logistics That Made It Work

Seminars covered accounting, inventory control, transportation, pricing, and customer service. Peace Corps covered hotels, meals, and transportation so participants could focus on learning and building relationships. The most valuable outcome was the bonding that took place among clients, volunteers, and trainers.

Seven Lessons I Carried Forward

1. Start with local voices first.

2. Keep training practical and short.

3. Remove barriers like travel costs and meals.

4. Match mentors to the culture and market.

5. Build networks that keep learning alive after the seminar.

6. Track small wins such as cleaner books or fewer stockouts.

7. Let trust lead the way, then add tools and techniques.

Recognition And Momentum

A USAID officer who observed our sessions said he would recommend our model for broader use in Peace Corps programs. That vote of confidence reflected what we saw on the ground. The approach worked because it was local, simple, and consistent.

From Honduras To Panama And The Birth Of TraderBrock

The most personal outcome of my service was the direction it gave me. The work in Honduras prepared me for Panama and the creation of TraderBrock. The same principles guide our company today. We support indigenous artisans, partner fairly, and focus on authenticity, care, and long-term relationships.

FAQs

What did your Peace Corps Honduras work focus on?

Small business development. I supported volunteers and entrepreneurs with training on accounting, inventory control, transportation, and everyday operations.

Why use local businesspeople as trainers?

Local trainers share culture and language with participants. Their advice fits the market and earns trust more quickly.

How often did the seminars run and how long did they last?

We ran a seminar every two to three months. Each session lasted two to three days.

What kinds of businesses took part?

Shops such as tire repair, small coffee roasting, and other neighborhood enterprises that keep communities moving.

How did this lead to TraderBrock?

The service in Honduras taught me to value authentic craft, fair partnerships, and practical training. That path took me to Panama and eventually to founding TraderBrock.

Where can I learn more about the Peace Corps?

Visit the official Peace Corps site to explore service, programs, and country pages: https://www.peacecorps.gov/

Closing Thoughts

My Peace Corps Honduras experience was not only about training or business tools. It was about people, trust, and service. Those two years gave me skills and relationships that led to Panama and to TraderBrock. Decades later, the same spirit continues to shape our work with artisans and communities across Latin America.